The students professed support for both technical and “soft” research, a declaration aimed at a cadre of reformers who believe research is overemphasized in academia, and that much of it is a waste of time.

“Diluting the role of research in undergraduate education at UT would decrease the value of the degrees,” the students wrote.

The letters’ co-signers include Carisa Nietsche, president of the Senate of College Councils; Natalie Butler, president of the UT Austin student government; and Manuel Gonzalez, president of the graduate student assembly.

The letter also said that students welcomed technology in the classroom, but preferred hybrid classes to fully online classes. That statement was aimed at a UT task force exploring the expansion of online programs to increase enrollment without expanding faculty.

“If the Board of Regents elects to transfer a percentage of courses online, UT-Austin risks losing one of the most important parts of education — the relationship between student and faculty,” the letter said.